Valve



l. i. TUBBs May 4, 1943.

VALVE Filed oct. 14, 1940 Patented May 4, 1943 l l k'2,318,115

VALVE o Ira I. Tubbs, Mount Vernon,` Iowa, assignor vto trustee MargaretL. Tubbs, Mount Vernon, Iowa, as

Application October 14, 1940, Serial No. 361,069

(ci. 27s- 65) 12 claims.

This invention relates l to improvements in valves.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved valve structurefor inilatable articles, such as footballs,'basketballs or otherpneumatic devices which comprises a valve closure member that is readilyremovable for replacement purposes if the valve becomes defective inuse.l

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve structureinvolving a removable valve closure member which, while removable forreplacement purposes, requires no extraneous means for retaining it inproper sealing position in a valve casing. o

An additional object of the'invention is to provide a valve structurefor inatable articles having a valve closure member in the form of anelastic plug-which is not only readily removable but which can beinserted in position in a valve structure by means of a simple toolmanipulated Figure 2 is a broken enlarged perspective view of aninflatable article illustrating an embodiment of the improved valvestructure therein;

Figure 3 is a broken sectional view of an inatable article showing theconstruction thereofy more in detail and illustrating also an improvedvalve structure in position therein;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an elastic valve closure member orplug comprising an element of the improved valve structure;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through an improved valveAv structureillustrating the closure -member thereofin longitudinally distendedrelation, and afsutable tool for so distending the closure member;

Figure .6 is a sectional view through .a valve structure illustratingthe closure member in normal valve'closing position, that is, theposition which it assumes when the distending tool shown in Figure 5 hasbeen removed; K

Figure 7 is an perspective view of another embodiment of a valvevclosuremember;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the'line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view of a suitable tool adapted for use in slitting orforming an inflation passage in for the member shown in Figure 12. y

a valve closure member of the type illustrated the drawing; Y

Figure 10 is a' perspective view of another-form of valve closuremember;

Figure 11 is a broken sectional View of an inilatable article providedwith an improved valve structure embodying the present improvements;

Figure 12 is a perspective View of anotherembo'diment of the valveclosure-member; and

Figure -13 illustrates a suitable insertingltoo In the drawing I0indicates aninlatabl`-` article such as a football, basket-ball or otherpneumatic device having .-a 'valve structure indicated generallyby thenumeral II by means -of which the article can be inflatedf The'valvestructure'- comprises a casing I2, as-illustratedin AFigurii 5,

having 'a cylindrical aperture or passage I3 there-` which forms thewallof "the passage I3. -This non-elastic lining I5 may be formed 'ofa' cordwound helically on'a mandrel and placed in the mold v'at the time thevalve structurels molded.,

the valve casing preferably being made of rubber and comprisesaflangeo'r patch I6 by means y *I of which the structure can be attachedto theln-Y f ner wall of the inflatablearticlaoor tothe bladder of thearticle Where a bladder-type construction is employed. The valve casingmay also be formed las an integralpart o f the 'bladder orlof an"article carcass of the type which requires no bladder. The lining I5,as shownin Figures 5 and 6, terminates above thelower end of the casingI 2, which lower end maybe providedwith an inwardly directed rubber'flange I1 y of slightlyl smaller internal diameter than thejdiameter ofthe superjacent portion of the passage I3. The valve closure member orplug I4 preferablyisy I' molded or otherwise formed of elastic'fmaterialsuch as rubberandcomprises a head I8 andfa f shank I9, theoriginal ornormal diameter'of the shank being greater thanthe diameter'ofv thepassage I3 of the valve casing in which the closure memberis to beemployed.' The casingIL-if not rendered inelastic by a lining or thelike, is formed of a rubber or'othermaterial which is relatively non-4astic as comparedwiththe materiaiorwhiei; the p1ug e4 is formed.. f IThe closure member I4 is provided withV a suitable inflation passage,that Ais, 'a passagefinto which an inflating instrument such asfa`l''1ollow the head I8 and shank I9 of the closure member, the inflationpassage 20 can be formed without removing any of the closure membermaterial. In other words, the material is merely parted along the planeof severance and is in the form of a slit. The inflation passage termiynates short of the lower end of the member I4 and in the form of theclosure member shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the passageterminates in two air-'discharge orifices 20B through either `of whichthe discharge end of the inflating needle of a pump (not shown.) may bepassed preparatory to inflating the article.`

' In Figure 2 of the drawing the article therein illustrated has a cover24 provided with a circular recess 25 in which the head I8 of the valveclosure member seats with the outer surface thereof flush with the outersurface of the article. 'I'he valve casing is attached to a bladder 26by vulcanizing or otherwise securing the flange or patch I8 thereto. l

iIn Figure 3 the article is shown as comprising a form-defininglaminated carcass 21 having a cover 28 thereon also provided with arecess 22 for accommodating the head I8 of the valve closure member*VI4. The bladder 26 has the valve -casing formed integral therewith.

In insertingl the closure member or plug I4 in the valve casing in anyof the modifications of .the inflatable article above described, aIsuitable tool such asA is shown in Figure 5 may be employed. This toolmay comprise a shank 29 having a knob 30 at its outer end and at itsinner end having a portion 3l adapted to engage the lower unslitted endof .the member I4 when the tool has been inserted into theinflationpassage. The portion -3I,in the form of the tool illustrated, is shownas being bifurcated and as vbeing somewhat similar to theblade 23 vofthe inflation passage-forming tool shown in Figure 9, although themember 3| of the plug'inserting tool is, of

course, not sharpened. Upon placing the insertmay be reducedsufiiciently to enable the closure memberl to beV inserted in thepassage I3 of the valve casing, as shown in Figure 5; Upon withdrawal ofthe inserting tool, the inherent elasticity of the shank causes thelowerend thereof,

which extends beyond the lower end of the casing I2, to contractlongitudinally and resume or tend to resume its original cross sectionalarea as illustrated in Figure 4. Inasmuch as the casing I2is.relatively,non-distendable, the intermediate portion oftheclosuremember, that is, the .por' vtion between the head I8 and the lower endof the shank which projects lbeneath the lower end ofthe casing is heldagainst return to its normal diameter. However, due to, its elasticity,this intermediate'portion of the shank expands radi- Lil .end of thecasing I2.

any into arm and air-tight Contact with the wail I5 of the passage I3.The closure member, as

will be seen, tends to contract longitudinally upon sure member inposition against expulsion by the air pressure within the article andalso cooperates with the intermediate portion of the shank in preventingleakage of air from the inflatable member between the shank and the.wall of the passage I3. y

In the embodiment of the improvements shown in Figure 6 the flange I'Iwhich, as above described, is located beneath the lower end of thelining I5 circumferentially engages the shank and thus forms anadditional barrier to the escape of air between the shank and the wallof the passage. Inasmuch as the intermediate portion of the shank isretained by the casing in a stateof radial contraction, the inflationpassage I2 is held in closed relation against leakage of air from thearticle.

As will be seen in Figure 6, the lower end of the passage 20,particularly the air-exit portions 2|)a thereof, are located beneath theinner The pressure of the air within the'inatable member tends to holdthe mating surfaces of the'slit 2U in closely contacting relation, thuspreventing the escape of air from the inflatable member through theinfiation slit. In inflating an article provided with the improved valvestructure, a conventional hollow needle-like or tubular nozzle is passeddownwardly into the ination passage 20 and through one of the ports 20,whereupon the pump can force air into the interior of the article. iUpon retraction of the tool the passage 20 is closed not only by thepressure of the air acting on the lower exposed end of the closuremember but by reason of the contractile force exerted on theintermediate portion thereof by the casing.

In the closure member I4 above described the inflation passage is 0f awidthless than the dlameter of 'the shank I4, but in the embodiment ofthe closure member illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 the passage or slitmay be co-extensive with the diameter of the shank. In Figures 7 and 8this slit or closure member' is indicated by the reference character20h. The closure memberillustrated in Figures 7 and 8 may be inserted inavalve casing by a suitable tool in the manner above described.

In Figure 10 the valve closure member there illustrated is similar totheform shown in Figures 7 and 8, except that the slit through the headextends diametrically of the head, thus dividing the closure member intotwo portions which are connected by the unsevered lower portion of theshank. In said figures the portions are shown in separated positions forthe purpose of clarity, the head portions being designated I8, the shankportions I9 and the lower unsevered end of the shank ask |99.

e In the embodiments shown in Figures 7, 8 and 10, each slitl terminateswithin the portion of the shank which extends beneath the lower end ofthe valve casing when the closure member is in the operative positioncorresponding to that shown in Figure 6 of the drawing.4 Hence thelateral edges of the lowerportions of the respective slits constituteoutlets through which the discharge end of a needle of an air pump orthe like can` be passed during the inflation of the article. In otherrespects the valve closure member illustrated in Figure 10 functionssimilarly to those above mentioned.

In Fig. 11 of the drawing, the valve casing is indicated generally bythe numeral 32 and is provided with a cylindrical passage 33 forreceiving the valve closure member and has a ange 34 by means of whichthe structure 'may be attachedto a bladder or the like of an iniiatablearticle, i. e., it may be attached by adhesive or by vulcanizlng to abladder orto a. wall of an article of ination vopeningl when desired.VVFor lthisfpurpose any suitable tooli'nay be employed.- such as a pair ofsharp-nosed pliersjfor example, j the vpoints of the jaws of 'which areinserted under Cil the type where no separate bladder is employed,

or the casing may be formed integral with a bladder or with a carcass ofan article of the latter type.

v The valve casing 32 has an integral upward extension 35 which seats inan aperture 36 of a cover v3'I, the outer end ofthe extension beingflush with the surface of the "cover and the periphery of which may becemented to the surrounding edge of the cover material. Thisconstruction protects the cover material adjacent the opening 36 fromdamage by tools employed in extracting valve closure members orininserting such members in the valve casing. 'Ihe exmembers abovedescribed may be `flared or ta-4 pered as illustrated in Figure 12. Insaid figure the valve 39 is not' shown as provided with an ination slitinasmuchras, for inflation purposes,

an inating needle can be inserted, between the u exterior wall of thevalve and the wall of a valve passage I3. An opening which may be in theform of a 'recess 4o is provided adjacent thevv lower end of the valveshank for receiving an offset end ofan inserting tool illustrated inFigure 13. The tool comprises a shank 4I and an offset end 42 adapted tobe insertedin the recess 40 preparatory to inserting the closurefmemberin a valve casing. The head of the valve may be engaged by another tool,such asa pliers,

. for example, and the shankthen stretched or distended and inserted inthe casing while in that condition. By simple manipulationk of the in-'l serting tool the end portion 42`can be removed from the aperture 40and the tool then withdrawn, leaving the closure member in position inthe valve casing preparatory, to inating the article.

In all the forms of the invention illustrated, the heads of the valveclosure member limit the extent to which the closure members may beinserted in the valve casing and thus prevent the closure member frombeing forced wholly into the inflatable article, either' during theinsertion of the valve closure member into the casing as abovedescribed, or during use of the article. While the lower distended endof the closure member abuts the lower end of the casing I2,

as'shown in Figure 6, and prevents'the closure member from beingexpelled from the casing by pressure ofthe air in the article, the valveclosure member may be removed for replacement purposes or for removingforeign particles from the the flexible head I8 v to enable the "tool tograsp the upper end of the shank. j By pulling upwardly on the closuremember, as by the .tool men- 'tioned, it can bedistended and caused to creep slowly outwardly of ythev casing.` If desired, a

valve inserting tool, such as that shown 'in Figv ure 5, may be usedduring Vthe removal of closure members of thetype illustrated in Figures1' to 11, that is, the inserting tool can be employed'to distend theshank of the closurev member lon` gitudinally as suggestedy in Figure 5and then by engaging the closure member by pliers or other suitable toolas above mentioned, the shank can be lifted from the casing. [j I In allthe embodiments of the invention above described the valve closuremembers can be removed readily for vreplacement 'purposes since they arenot structurally united to the valve Vcasing nor to thecar'cassof thearticle b ut areretained in position in the'valve'casingbythe'radialexpanding action of the closure members resulting from longitudinallydistending the members during the insertionl Aof the same in the valvecasing. The novel valve closure `means can be employed with valvecasings Whether the latter are formed as integral portions of 'bladdersor'carcasses of inflatable articles or are vulcanized or otherwisesecured thereto. Y

While I have shown and described `certain embodiments of myvimprovements for 'the purpose ofillustration, it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made therein withoutldeparting from the spirit oftheLinvention, g i

Iclaim:

1. A'valvefcr an inflatable article*comprisingr a valvecasing having acylindrical passage` tlierethrough for receiving a closure member, f aremovable' cylindrical closure'fmemberf of elastic material for saidpassager of a diamet'erfgreater l than said passage and havingan'iniiatiori slit extending longitudinally froml the outer end toadjacent the inner endthereof andeextending radiallyat said inner' endto` theiwall of vsaid member, ,said'slitbeing adaptecllto receive `atool engageable with'thewall of the v,slit at the inner end thereof..for distending they closure member longitudinally to effectcircumferential contraction thereof sufliciently vto enable thev closuremember to be removed from' operative positionv iny said passage or to beinserted into said operative position wherein the inner end ofthe slitVisfdisposed inwardly of the innerv end'ofthe casing and through whichair from an iniiating device inserted into said slit can pass intoy the'article in inflating the same, the portionv ofthe closure memberkwithin said passage being adapted to expand radiallyfintosealingcontactfwith the wall of the passage whenfthe member. is releasedfromthe distending force of the tool'and against leakagei upon to retainthe slit closed withdrawalof the inating device. g

2. A.valv e for aninatable' article comprising a valve casing having acylindrical" passage therethrough, a removablevalve clcsure memberv ofelastic material in said p assageprovided' with an inflationl slitextending fromf the outer end to adjacent the inner end thereof, saidinner end of the member andthe mnerfead casing whereby. an inflationdevice can' be .in-

serted'through said slit for dischargingv'air into of the slit beingdisposed inwardly of the innerend of, the l the article, the portion ofthe `closure member s withinf'said passage being retained'under radial[compression by the wall of laid passage for closy ing the slit againstescape of 'air upon withdrawal mal diameter than the diameter of saidpassage,

said member being provided with an inflation passage and having anintermediate portion nor- ",mally retained under radial compression bythe walls of said passage ffor'closing said inflation passage, saidmember having a portion at the inner end of the inflation passage forengagementby`a tool in distending the closure member longitudinallypreparatory'to inserting the closure member into position in the casingand a head at the outer end of said member for limiting theinwardmovement thereof and constituting means forengagement by a tool forexrtractingv the member from the" casing.

s 4. A valve casing having a receiving passage therethrough for a valveclosure member and a valve closure member for said passage provided withahead at the outer end for limiting inward V`movement of the closuremember and a shank of velastic materialof an original diameter greaterthan lthediameter of said passage, said closure rmember having alongitudinal inflation passage therein terminating at its inner endshort of the inner end of the shank4 and adapted to receive a toolengageable with said inner end portion of the shank whereby the shankcan be distended *longitudinally to effect the circumferentialcontraction of the shank to a diameter enabling the shank to be'insertedfreely in the receiving passage'vor removed therefrom,sai dinner end of the .shank extending vbeyond the inner enfl'of said casingwhen the closure member is in normalposition in said casing passage andconstituting an abutment engaging the inner end o-f the casing f tovresist outward movement of the closure member, the' intermediate portionof the vshank being retained normally in circumferentially contractedrelation `by the wall of said casing passage for closing theinflationpassage to prevent escape .of air therethrough. i

5. 5A valve for an inflatable article comprising` a valve casingprovided'with a passage therethrough for' receiving a valve closuremember, and 'a valve closure member comprising a head ,and a shank ofelasticmaterial having an originalfdiamet'er greatergthan the diameterofy the passage and provided with an inflation passage extendingthroughthe head and shank to and terminating adjacent the inner end ofthe latter wherebya tool'can be inserted into the inflation passage intoengagement with the wall at the Vterminal end of .the inflation passagefor distending vthe 'shank longitudinally sufficiently to contractl itcircumlferentially whereby the shank can be inserted inwardly ofI thevalve passage to move the head into limiting relation over the outer endof the valve passageand said inner end of the s hankibeyond the innerend of the body member whereby said inner end vcan contractlongitudinally and expand circumferentially upon removal of the tool andinto contact with the `inner end of thecasing for resisting outwardasian movement of the closure member from the casing,theintermediateportion ofthe shank being retained in circumferentiallycontracted relation by the walls of the valve passage for retainingtheinilation passageclosed to prevent escape of air therethrough. l

6. Avalve having a Vcylindrical passage therethrough and a removableclosure member in said passage comprising a head at the outer end ofsaid member for limiting the inward movement of said member within saidpassage and having an elastic shank provided with a portion within saidpassage and an inner end portion projecting beyond and in abuttingrelation with the inner end of said casing to seal said passage and toprevent expulsion of the closure member from the casing, said inner endof the shank being provided with-means for engagement by a distendingtool whereby the shank can be extended longitudinally to reduce thediameter thereof sufficiently to enable the shank while so distended tobe inserted in said passage from the 'outer end of the latter, saidshank and the inner end of said'closure member being longitudinallydistendable under tension applied to the closure member at theheadthereof whereby the closure member can be removed from said passage.

'7. A valve for an inflatable article comprising a valve casing having Ia cylindrical receiving passage therethrough provided with an enlargedportion located at its outer' end, and ascylindrical valveclosure memberfor said passage having a head at the outer end seating within saidenlarged portion of said passage and` an elastic shank of greater normaldiameter than the lesser diameter of said passage and provided withmeans at the inner end for engagement byla distending tool whereby theshank can be distended longitudinally and contracted circumferentiallyto enable the same to be linserted lthrough said passage and being ofsuch length that the inner end when released by said tool provides anabutment engaging the'end of 'said casing preventing Vthe expulsion ofsaid Aclosure member from said passage, said closure memberbeing/retained in position solely by said abutmentma'nd the expansibleforce exerted by the shank on `the wall of said passage whereby theclosure member is removable by'a force exerted on said head in anoutward direction sufficient to effect the progressive longitudinaldistension and radial contraction of the shank`- V 8. In aninflatable'article a memb r having an opening therein and a valvecasing'provided with a passage communicating with the inside andoutsideof said article through said opening,

la removable valve Ymember controlling thepassage lof air through saidpassage"y comprising an elastic portion with anormal diameter greaterthan that of said passage and longitudinally distended and disposed insaid passage, an elastic inner end portion with a diameter greater thanthat of said passage and'integral with the first said portion andproviding retaining means yieldablyengaging said casing at the inner endof said passage for releasably retaining said valve 'member in saidcasing, and an outer end portion with a diameter greater than that ofsaid passage and of a length to extend through the opening in themem-ber and integral with the nrst said portion and providing handlemeans outside of said passage for removing said valve member from saidVcasing through said opening. y

9. In an inflatable article, a member having an opening therein, a valvefor -controlling the passage of air into and out of said article,comprising casing means with a passage thereinfand passage closingmeans, one of said means being relatively elastic and elasticallydeformed in one direction and providing a suiicient elastic forcetransversely of the direction of deformation yieldably and removably toseat said passage closing means in said passage and to close the sameand to retain said closing means in said passage against expulsiontherefrom by the pressure in said article, and means carried by saidpassage closing means and accessible from outside said articlethroughthe opening in said member for removing said passage closing means fromsaid passage.

10. A removable valve closure member for a valve passage, comprising anelastic shank of Cil greater normal diameter tha-n the diameter of saidpassage and having means integral with one end of the shank forengagement by an inserting tool whereby the shank can be distendedlongitudinally to reduce the diameter thereof suiiiciently to enable theshank to be inserted into said passage and handle means at the oppositeend of said shank whereby a force may be exerted thereon in an outwarddirection sufficient to eiect the progressive longitudinal distentionand radial contractions oi.' the shank to remove it from said. passage.

11. A valve for an iniiatable article comprising a valve body having avalve passage therein and an elastic Valve member of a normal diametergreater than the diameter of said passage and of substantially greaterlength than said passage when located therein so as to extendtherethrough and beyond the inner end thereof and to engage the innerend of said body surrounding the passage, -said member having a head atthe outer end and a tool-engageable portion adjacent the inner endwhereby the member can be distended longitudinally to reduce thediameter thereof to enable the same to be inserted in the valve passagewhereby upon release of the distending force the valve member expandsradially into circumferential contact with the wall of the Valvepassage, said wall being relatively non-distendable radially by theexpansive force exerted thereon by said member whereby the 'latter formsa close seal with said wall and the inner end of said body to preventleakagealong the exterior of said valve member.

12. A removable valve closure member for la valve passage comprising anelastic shank hav- Ainto said passage and handle means at the oppositeend of said shank whereby a force may be exerted thereon in an outward-direction suflicient to effect the progr sive longitudinal distentionand radial contractions of the shank to remove it from said passage.

IRA I. TUBBS.

